For once, I felt sorry for Chan. The crowd was just so rude, it was horrible. He didn't give himself those scores. And he landed two clean quads. The audience needs to educate themselves and understand where Chan is separating himself from everyone else.

Actually, it's the figure skating establishment that needs to educate the audience or this sport is truly is dead. The audience buys the tickets and is basically who advertisers are aiming at. As someone who paid for those overpriced tickets at US Nationals, I want to at least feel like part of the decision making process with my cheers (or boos). The current system is disconnected from audiences. Thats why you see all the empty seats at these events and no TV coverage in the US. It's not just the poor world economy! If the ISU and federations want to increase popularity and $$, they've got to include the audience. Most people buy tickets to be entertained, touched my emotion, etc. That's just not happening as often as it use too. We can't blame skaters or their coaches for whoring the COP with these intricate yet uninspiring and error filled programs.

I'm floored about the results. Overall, I felt that Patrick's technical score was fair. However, Daisuke was way underscored in the PCS. I would have given him a 10 in choreography and interpretation. That program is so innovative, so complex. That music is so difficult to interpret. In my opinion, one of the greatest LPs of all time. Yuzuru made me cry and it is the first time I cried over a program. Youthful exuberance for sure, silly fall after the step sequence. But, I am amazed that jumped back up and did a 3axel-3 toe.

I'm actually glad that the audience booed, despite that it's not Patrick's fault he was placed 1st by the judges. Like at the Worlds in Lyon, France in 1970 (I think), the audience booed when Janet Lynn did not medal despite a brilliant free skate because figures were weighted heavier than the FS. This warranted change. The next year, the SP was introduced and figures were reduced for the skater's overall placement. The ISU needs to re-evaluate the scoring system, especially when it comes to deductions. I understand the boos because the audience, who is there live, feeling the energy of each performance, sees a performance that was superior in execution and is beaten by a guy who splatters at the end. A world champion should not be a guy who waxels at the end. SKATING 101, folks. Now, the ISU can take a cue from the FIG gymnastics (although their scoring system is highly debatable, too) to increase the deductions for falls and single jumps. I say that falls should be a mandatory 2-point deduction and all popped singles should be a mandatory -3 in GOE. Also omission on any required element in the SP should be a mandatory 2 point deduction. It would encourage the skaters to focus on the execution of their programs with less falls and have the general public understand and justify the placements. But also increase the point value for quads and 3-axels to encourage skaters to attempt and perfect them in competition. Also in fairness to the skaters, judges should display their marks. Skaters should be able to see what jumps were downgraded during the kiss and cry and coaches should be allowed to submit inquiries. Although, I could understand that it will prolong the scoring process, but it's only fair. As for PCS, skaters who fall should not be given 9+ for execution. Does not make sense. Figure skating, like all sports, is dependent on the popularity of fans to sustain. If this continues, its relevance in society will dissipate.

I wonder what Richard Callaghan could do for Jeremy Abbott if he were to switch coaches? Just a thought of frustration. He needs someone who can train him to go on autopilot on those jumps and just gain much better consistency. *SIGH*